What does it mean to abide "in Christ?"

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First of all you must understand that although all Scripture is written for you not all Scripture is written about you. For instance, the promise of eternal life in the N.T. Scriptures is not written about unbelievers but believers.

That said, Matt. 25:14-30 is not about the church Christ is now, presently building and being made up of believing Jews and Gentiles. Matt. 25:1-30 concerns Israel at the end of the age, not the church. In fact, the church is not mentioned anywhere in chapters 24 and 25.

The parable of the ten virgins and the one about the slaves are both about being alert, prepared and ready for when the Son of Man returns to set up His Millennial kingdom on earth.

The ten virgins represent Israel which is to be waiting for their master to return from the wedding. The wedding has already taken place between Christ and His bride (the rapture of the church) and He is about to return (see Lk. 12:35-36). The parable is about being ready for Him.

This same theme of readiness for Israel is the focus in the parable of the slaves and the talents given to them (see Lk. 12:37-40).

Neither of these parables pertain to the church He is presently building.I’ve read it many times. The “gospel of the kingdom” is not the “gospel of grace” which is being preached to the world during this church age (Acts 20:24; Gal. 1:6; Phil. 1:7).
QUOTE]That’s a neat way to get away from what the parables are saying about one’s personally being ready for the Lord’s coming and the fact that one needs to do something with what they have been given…
 
It’s not speculation at all. It’s a conclusion based on what the Scriptures reveal and allowing the prophetic Word to speak for itself.It started with Adam but it didn’t end with Him. What you’re not taking into account is that Jesus, the “Last Adam,” IS It was always in the mind of God (though not revealed to the Hebrew prophets), but it was not always “in the works.” Jesus said “…and upon this rock I will build My church.” That’s a statement said in the future tense. He didn’t say “…and upon this rock I have been building My church.” And before you go there, I agree with Augustine that the rock is Peter’s confession, not Peter himself. We know from Scripture that the church is being built on the foundation of the Apostles (pl.) and prophets (N.T.), Christ Himself its corner stone (Eph. 2:20-22). The church began at Pentecost.
Ah, but Augustine’s teaching does not agree with other ECF’s teaching. He did not have all of their writings in order to compare his with theirs. This was his opinion but it is not official Church teaching. He would have acquiesced to the Church’s authority if and when he was shown his error. This is why there is an official teaching authority in Jesus’ Church. It settles disputes such as these, when they come up, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Church has authoritatively settled this particular matter since then!

Peter is given the keys of the kingdom because he alone is the “rock” who will represent the “Rock” Jesus on earth. Of course, correct Greek grammar (sentence structure) also shows that Peter is the Rock, and so proof is also shown in a non-scriptural manner. Hint: Augustine was incorrect:

catholic.com/library/Peter_Primacy.asp

Peter is given the name “Rock” for a specific reason just as Abram was given the name of Abraham in the OT. God has a special mission for Peter. God the Father actually chose him to be the head of Jesus’ Church by giving Peter the answer to Jesus’ question:

Matthew 16:15-18 “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Abraham was chosen as the father of many nations. Peter is chosen as the spiritual father of many nations. Peter represents Jesus on earth so Peter is given the name “rock” because Jesus is the Rock:

1 Samuel 2:2 “No one is holy like the LORD,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.”

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

The gates of Hades also shall not prevail against His Church because it continues until He returns (Matthew 28:19-20); it is built upon the “rock” (the chief stewardship office) which began with Peter:

Matthew 16:18-19 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Yes, the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. They also have binding and loosing powers given to them. For example, Elijah prayed for rain to cease and so it did not rain until he prayed for it to rain again 3 1/2 years later. (James 5:17-18) But, only Peter is given the keys, the office of chief steward, over all other apostles. It is Peter who gives us the first example of Apostolic Succession in the Bible when Matthias is chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. (Acts 1:15-26)

Isaiah 22:15,…20-23 "
15 Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: “Go, proceed to this steward, To Shebna, who is over the house, and say:…

20 That I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah;
21 I will clothe him (Eliakim) with your (Shebna’s) robe
And strengthen him (Eliakim) with your belt;
I will commit your responsibility into his hand.
He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
And to the house of Judah.
22 The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
23 I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place,
And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house.

Jesus was referring to the office of chief steward when He chose Peter and gave him alone the keys of the kingdom of heaven. “He shall open and He shall shut” refers to the “binding and loosing” powers given to Peter.

Pax,
SHW
 
The only difference in the word “priest” found in the Old and New Testaments is that in the former it is written in Hebrew and the latter in Greek. Priest is priest in no matter what language you write it. Its definition doesn’t change. And no matter how you try to rationalize it (and this one was a doozie), “hiereus” in the N.T. is not a church office. The Body of Christ needs no earthly mediator to approach the throne of grace. What it has are elders/overseers (Gr. presbuteros/episkopos). An elder and overseer is the same office but neither is a “hiereus.” NO NEED.
Bishops were both priests and administrators (overseers).

Hebrews 13:10 “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle (Jews) have no right to eat.”

What do you think they were using their “altar” for? An altar is for sacrifice, not for a meal. An ordained priest is necessary to offer sacrifice on an altar.

Sacrifices are offered every day in Catholic Churches throughout the world in fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy:

Malachi 1:11
“For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
In every place incense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering
;
For My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says the LORD of hosts.”

The Pure Offering is Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Eucharist and It is offered to God daily for the remission of sins just as Jesus commanded:

Matthew 26:27-28 “Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

It was, and is, still offered in remembrance of Him and so His name is great among the nations, just as prophesied by Malachi:

Luke 22:19 "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

He becomes present on the altar (the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus) by the power of the Holy Spirit when the priests “do this in remembrance of Him.”

John 6:55-56 “For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”

I believe Jesus literally. Why are you like the Pharisees who do not believe but walk away from the Truth? Did Jesus call them back to explain that they were mistaken about taking Him literally? No, He did not! Why not? After all, He “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth!” But, instead of calling them back to correct their “supposed” misunderstanding of having to literally eat His Flesh and drink His Blood, He lets them walk away from their only means of salvation. (John 6)

According to Jewish law, the paschal lamb must be eaten. Jesus is the Paschal Lamb and so therefore He must be literally eaten.

Mark 14:12 "Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”

Jesus is the Passover (Paschal) Lamb of the New Covenant and He must be eaten. Paschal Lamb offerings must be eaten. Jesus fulfills the OT Covenant and its Sacrificial Law by becoming the Perfect Paschal Lamb Sacrifice on the Cross, and by His death, He offers Himself to God in atonement for Adam’s and our sins.

Exodus 12:21-22 “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. 24 And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.”

They are commanded earlier in verse 8 to eat its flesh:

8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Revelation 5:6 “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”

The Catholic Church obeys His command and so we eat the Passover Lamb, His (literal) Body and Blood, in Holy Eucharist.

Pax,
SHW
 
Ezek 37:21 "Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and** I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms.**”

After the Babylonian captivity Israel had no king, only a priesthood. No son of David reigned on David’s throne.

At the time of the fulfillment of that prophecy God will make an everlasting covenant of peace with Israel (fulfillment of the New Covenant) and promises that they will never again be dispersed from the land (fulfillment of the Land Covenant).
Code:
Hos 3:4-5 "Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days."
Ezekiel’s dry bones prophetic vision (and so many others associated with it) has not been fulfilled yet. Its fulfillment requires the return of the King to Israel. That will happen when the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the angels with Him and
Code:
"then He will sit on His glorious throne" (Matt. 25:31).
Hey M.D. 🙂

Ezekiel was prophesying the King of Kings who was crowned with thorns and robed in purple before He died on the cross. The Jews returned to Israel and worshiped at the second temple. Ezekiel’s and Hosea’s prophecies already came true with the building of the second temple.

However, according to statements made by Jews today, they believe that Isaiah 56:7 will literally come to pass in the form of a third temple: “The Almighty desires it to be a House of Prayer for all peoples.”

But they are mistaken. Isaiah 56:7 was referring to the future second temple. Isaiah lived from 740 B.C.- 681 B.C. in Judah. Hosea lived from 765 B.C. - 725 B.C. The second temple was not built until about 520 B.C. This future second temple is the temple that Isaiah and Hosea were prophesying about and Jesus is crowned King at this time of the second temple: spirit-digest.com/Quickhive%20articles/every_prophecy_and_detail_fulfilf.htm

Isaiah 56:6-8 "…Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations
.”
8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
“Yet I will gather to him
Others besides those who are gathered to him.”

The New Testament shows that the second temple was in existence during the times of the preaching of Jesus and the Apostles, and devout Jews from all the nations were gathered there, to worship at this second temple. These pious Jews came into the Church (new “house” of prayer) at this same time. These devout Jews, members of the remnant of Israel such as Peter, James, John, and later Paul, etc., came into the Church at the time of Christ. The Gentiles (outcasts of Israel) have also come into the Church. The remaining remnant of Israel will be converted by the two witnesses during the time of Antichrist. The Last Days are right now (Hebrews 1:1-4)

Acts 2:5 “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.”

1 Timothy 3:15 “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

I believe that part of Isaiah 56 was fulfilled after the second temple was built, and part also at the time of Christ and the Apostles. This second temple was built due to encouragement from the prophets Zechariah and Haggai in C. 520 B.C.
**
This is important:** Jesus states that they have defiled this second temple, this temple which was prophesied by Isaiah:

Matthew 21:13 "And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” Jesus was telling them that their house of prayer, the second temple, has become a den of thieves.

So, I believe that Isaiah 56 has already been fulfilled, but the Jews of today to not understand this and so they await a future fulfillment. (They rejected the true Messiah, so they now await a different one.)

God will never again approve animal burnt offerings in place of the Blood of His Son! Animals will never again be an acceptable sacrifice.(Hebrews 10:1-18) The Sabbath Laws are no longer in force and God takes no pleasure in them. (Colossians 2:15-17)

Incense is the burnt offering that is the acceptable to God today and in future. Jesus’ Body and Blood is now the only acceptable Sacrifice to God. Wouldn’t an animal sacrifice be an abomination, a slap in the face to the Father of Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? I think so.

Malachi 1:11 “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
In every place incense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering;
For My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says the LORD of hosts.”

This Scripture passage has already come to pass and is continuing to be fulfilled this very day in Catholic Churches throughout the world. The Holy Eucharist is the pure offering offered daily to the Father in heaven.

The Jews broke the Land Covenant so they are dispersed. “Forever” means for as long as the Covenant is being honored by both parties.

Jesus is ruling His kingdom right now. He joined the House of Israel and the House of Judah together under His kingship. He was crowned King of the Jews shortly before His death. He redeemed mankind despite their blindness. Matt. 25:31 refers to His Messianic rule in heaven after Judgment Day. Jesus already made His everlasting Covenant with the devout Jews (Hebrews 8:6-13) The Pharisees chose to not be part of it. He will not be making another covenant; His New Covenant is everlasting, but a remnant of the Jews will be joining His Church, the New Jerusalem, shortly before He returns to gather up the rest of His kingdom and judge the nations.
 
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SHW:
Ezekiel was prophesying the King of Kings who was crowned with thorns and robed in purple before He died on the cross. The Jews returned to Israel and worshiped at the second temple. Ezekiel’s and Hosea’s prophecies already came true with the building of the second temple.

However, according to statements made by Jews today, they believe that Isaiah 56:7 will literally come to pass in the form of a third temple: “The Almighty desires it to be a House of Prayer for all peoples.”
How right you are SHW! Did you know that present day Jews are already in the process of collecting all of the Temple’s ritual requirements, and doing DNA testing to locate true Levites to restore the Levitical Priesthood and once again sacrifice animals?

Although I know a Jewish Third Temple will never be recognized by God Almighty, I do believe it may possibly be built, and if it is, will be the seat of the Anti-Christ who will come in the final days.

I think the fundamentalists are pushing for this Third Temple to be built as well to hurry along the “rapture.” :rolleyes:
 
How right you are SHW! Did you know that present day Jews are already in the process of collecting all of the Temple’s ritual requirements, and doing DNA testing to locate true Levites to restore the Levitical Priesthood and once again sacrifice animals?

Although I know a Jewish Third Temple will never be recognized by God Almighty, I do believe it may possibly be built, and if it is, will be the seat of the Anti-Christ who will come in the final days.
If it’s not recognized then how is it that in 2 Thess. 2:4 that temple is called “the temple of God?” And in Matt. 24:15 it’s called “the holy place?”
I think the fundamentalists are pushing for this Third Temple to be built as well to hurry along the “rapture.” :rolleyes:
Such a silly statement, indeed. Men can’t “hurry along” any of the “times and epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7).
 
If it’s not recognized then how is it that in 2 Thess. 2:4 that temple is called “the temple of God?” And in Matt. 24:15 it’s called "the holy place?"Such a silly statement, indeed. Men can’t “hurry along” any of the “times and epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7).
Matt. 24:15 is referring to the 2nd Temple.

2 Thess. 2:4 is a mystery. It may be referring to a third Temple, or it may be referring to a Holy Church that alreadys exists. For example the Hagia Sophia in Instanbul. If it does refer to a third Temple, calling it “the temple of God” may just be its name among men, although not acceptable to God. The need for a Jewish Temple was dissolved by the New Covenant. Certainly even a bac would agree with that.

Nothing can be sillier than claiming knowledge of exactly what Paul is referring to here.
 
Matt. 24:15 is referring to the 2nd Temple.
Hardly. The whole scene in Matt. 24 takes the reader to a time just prior to the second advent of Jesus Christ when"there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will" (vs. 21).Jesus Himself puts it in that yet future time where He says:Matt 24:29-30 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.”
2 Thess. 2:4 is a mystery. It may be referring to a third Temple, or it may be referring to a Holy Church that alreadys exists.
The passage says nothing about a church building.
For example the Hagia Sophia in Instanbul. If it does refer to a third Temple, calling it “the temple of God” may just be its name among men, although not acceptable to God.
You’re pitifully rationalizing.
The need for a Jewish Temple was dissolved by the New Covenant.
But not to fulfill prophecy. There will be a Tribulation temple (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4) and a Millennial temple (Eze. 40-44) in Jerusalem.
Certainly even a bac would agree with that.
A true “bac” should humbly accept what God has revealed to us through His holy prophets via the Scriptures. A true “bac” shouldn’t rationalize or spiritualize or allegorize away what God has literally said concerning the church and Israel.
Nothing can be sillier than claiming knowledge of exactly what Paul is referring to here.
Nothing can be sillier than to think that one cannot understand what God has communicated to us in holy Writ.
 
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moondweller:
A true “bac” should humbly accept what God has revealed to us through His holy prophets via the Scriptures. A true “bac” shouldn’t rationalize or spiritualize or allegorize away what God has literally said concerning the church and Israel.
How do you know that you fit that description?
 
Moondweller for one who accuses others of spiritlizing and making things up about scripture you are the grand master at doing such things…there is no mention of a temple in the verses from the gospel written by St.matthew 24;15-31…but there is in fact a very clear rebutal, by none other than Jesus Himself , about the “doctrine” of pre-tribulation rapture.
 
Hardly. The whole scene in Matt. 24 takes the reader to a time just prior to the second advent of Jesus Christ
Rationalize, spiritualize, or allegorize this away.

Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. (Mat 24:34)

"Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." (Mat 16:28)
 
But not to fulfill prophecy. There will be a Tribulation temple (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4) and a Millennial temple (Eze. 40-44) in Jerusalem.
WAKE UP!

On the tenth day of the month beginning the twenty-fifth year of our exile, fourteen years after the city was taken, that very day the hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me in divine visions to the land of Israel, where he set me down on a very high mountain. On it there seemed to be a city being built before me. When he had brought me there, all at once I saw a man whose appearance was that of bronze; he was standing in the gate, holding a linen cord and a measuring rod. The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen intently, and pay strict attention to all that I will show you, for you have been brought here so that I might show it to you. Tell the house of Israel all that you see.” (Ezek 40:1-4)

This vision happened on April 28, 573 B.C. before the second Temple was built. Ezekiel was told to tell “his” generation about the second Temple. Unless of course, Ezekiel’s generation was really a generation of Israel 2,500+ years in the future (instead of the people who were in exile at the time).

Does Ezekiel refer to the building of the second Temple even once (in your opinion)?
 
How right you are SHW! Did you know that present day Jews are already in the process of collecting all of the Temple’s ritual requirements, and doing DNA testing to locate true Levites to restore the Levitical Priesthood and once again sacrifice animals?

Although I know a Jewish Third Temple will never be recognized by God Almighty, I do believe it may possibly be built, and if it is, will be the seat of the Anti-Christ who will come in the final days.

I think the fundamentalists are pushing for this Third Temple to be built as well to hurry along the “rapture.” :rolleyes:
Hey Ambrose, 🙂

Yes, the fundamentalists are doing this but I hadn’t thought of the reason being that they believe that they will be raptured for their efforts. Some of them believe that God is still keeping the Old Covenant with the Jews even though Scripture states otherwise. I wonder how persons are chosen in order to be eligible to take the DNA tests and where did they get the original DNA?

I believe the third temple will be built, but sacrificing animals will not please God. :eek: I agree with you about Antichrist.

The Golden Menorah is now ready for the Third Temple:

youtube.com/watch?v=tPEe9uJ53vw&feature=related

Pax,
SHW
 
On the tenth day of the month beginning the twenty-fifth year of our exile, fourteen years after the city was taken, that very day the hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me in divine visions to the land of Israel, where he set me down on a very high mountain. On it there seemed to be a city being built before me. When he had brought me there, all at once I saw a man whose appearance was that of bronze; he was standing in the gate, holding a linen cord and a measuring rod. The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen intently, and pay strict attention to all that I will show you, for you have been brought here so that I might show it to you. Tell the house of Israel all that you see.” (Ezek 40:1-4)

This vision happened on April 28, 573 B.C. before the second Temple was built. Ezekiel was told to tell “his” generation about the second Temple. Unless of course, Ezekiel’s generation was really a generation of Israel 2,500+ years in the future (instead of the people who were in exile at the time).

Does Ezekiel refer to the building of the second Temple even once (in your opinion)?
Hi Ryan, :cool:

It is difficult for people to give up their pet beliefs even when they are so far from truth!

Jesus was speaking of the second Temple Himself and even quoted Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7, Matthew 21:13) as I stated in my previous post. Isaiah was speaking of the future second temple and Jesus said during His ministry that this second temple had become a den of thieves. It was a house of prayer for devout Jews from all nations (Acts 2:5), but the leadership/priesthood had become corrupted by greed and lack of humility (Matthew 5:20, Matthew 23:1-7). Isaiah was not speaking of the Gentile nations at all. Jesus did not come to preach to the Gentile nations (Matthew 15:24). He came to unite the House of Judah and the House of Israel (Hebrews 8). He commissioned Peter to preach to the Jews and later, Paul, to preach to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8)

What M.D. does not understand is that Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and it is now obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). God will not be returning to it. The Jews will instead join Jesus’ Church in the last days after the two witnesses preach to them (Revelation 11:1-14). The Jews accept Christ as their Messiah shortly before He returns for His Second Coming. This period of time is of short duration because Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead soon after their conversion (Romans 9:28, Matthew 24:29-31).

The high priest, Simeon, who was at Jesus’ presentation, must have been the last devout high priest because the second temple changed from a “house of prayer” to a “den of thieves” by the time of Jesus’ ministry. (Luke 2:25-26)

In 520 B.C. two contemporary prophets, Haggai and Zechariah predicted a special blessing for the 24th of Kislev (Haggai 2:18-19), and (Zechariah 4:1-7) predicted the addition of two more lamps on the Menorah and added that YHVH (G-d) shall bring forth the Headstone therefore with shoutings, crying Grace, Grace unto it. The implication is that these two lamps (olive branches) are added to the other seven making a total of nine lamps-a Hanukkah Menorah. Nine denotes finality of judgment. Moreover, is it not Yahshua the Headstone ushering in a new age of Grace as the Servant Lamp, who by virtue of His sacrifice as the Paschal Lamb brings us into reconciliation with YHVH Elohim, and the forgiveness of past sins (Romans 3:25). Consider that in Luke 2:30-32 Yahshua is described as a “light unto the Gentiles”. In Revelation 1:16, Yahshua is described standing in the middle of a Menorah in the position of the Servant Lamp and Yochanan (John) described “his countenance was like the sun shining in it strength.” It appears He is the fulfillment of the Servant Lamp in the Menorah. The Jewish sages wrote in the Jerusalem Talmud, (Yoma 43:3) that when Simeon, the priest described in (Luke 2:29), whose death had been delayed until he beheld, the Messiah, the infant Yahshua; the Servant Lamp in the Menorah went out and would not relight for the forty years prior to the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 AD. The amazing thing attested to is that it went out during Yahshua’s ministry. Further evidence is found in Hebrew numerology. Eight is a transcendent number in Hebrew tradition and represents deity and a new beginning. Seven represents spiritual perfection. The Hanukkah Menorah features eight candles (deity) and one candle (the servant candle). Spiritual perfection (represented by the number seven) obtains life only after the Servant Candle ignites them, having seven candles contained within the nine candled Menorah may be interpreted as "perfect humanity” or imputed righteousness by virtue of the work of the Servant Candle who is also YHVH (Incarnate Deity represented by the number eight).

From: rabdavis.org/Hanukkah%20Explanation.htm

Pax,
SHW

We’ve gotten way off topic. I am starting a new thread: “Are Works Necessary for Salvation?” http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=5094187#post5094187 Come on over and discuss this topic!
 
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SHW:
Ezekiel was prophesying the King of Kings who was crowned with thorns and robed in purple before He died on the cross.
How generous of you to consider that the Christ, the Son of David, is worthy of a crown of thorns constructed by those who crucified Him. And did those who constructed his crown then nail Him to His throne?
The Jews returned to Israel and worshiped at the second temple. Ezekiel’s and Hosea’s prophecies already came true with the building of the second temple.
Well, in Ezekiel’s prophecy he says they’ll live in the land forever and His sanctuary in their midst forever. In 70 A.D. the second Temple was destroyed stone by stone and the Jews were again dispersed from the land. So, no, my friend, Ezekiel’s prophecy looked far beyond the time of Herod’s Temple and to when the One BORN “King of kings and Lord of lords” would return to sit on His glorious throne in Jerusalem.
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
“Yet I will gather to him
Others besides those who are gathered to him.”
The New Testament shows that the second temple was in existence during the times of the preaching of Jesus and the Apostles, and devout Jews from all the nations were gathered there, to worship at this second temple.
“Nations” means Gentile nations. Not the Jewish Diaspora. This will be fulfilled during Christ’s Millennial reign.
The Jews broke the Land Covenant so they are dispersed. “Forever” means for as long as the Covenant is being honored by both parties.
You have no idea what the “Land” covenant is. If you did you’ll know it’s an unconditional covenant. God fulfills the requirements. There’s no such thing as the Jews breaking the Land Covenant. You’re shooting from the hip here, SHW.
Jesus is ruling His kingdom right now. He joined the House of Israel and the House of Judah together under His kingship.
I know there’s a Knesset in Israel, but so far no throne and no High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek reigning on it.
He was crowned King of the Jews shortly before His death.
Right! By those who mocked Him, spit on Him, and then crucified Him. :nope:
Matt. 25:31 refers to His Messianic rule in heaven after Judgment Day.
AFTER “Judgment Day?” So He’s not ruling in heaven now? Make up your mind. Shooting from the hip again?
 
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AmbroseSJ:
How do you know that you fit that description?
Which description?

Please clarify: When you quote in your signature, “Catholicism does not oppress us with an irrational bigotry," are you saying it oppresses you instead with a rational one?
 
fb19:
Moondweller for one who accuses others of spiritlizing and making things up about scripture you are the grand master at doing such things…there is no mention of a temple in the verses from the gospel written by St.matthew 24;15-31…but there is in fact a very clear rebutal, by none other than Jesus Himself , about the “doctrine” of pre-tribulation rapture.
Do you know what “the holy place” in Matt. 24:15 is?

Please point out to me Christ’s rebuttal of the pre-Trib. rapture doctrine. Please show me where Christ refers to the church at all in Matt. 24 or 25.
 
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ryanoneil:
Rationalize, spiritualize, or allegorize this away.

Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. (Mat 24:34)

“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Mat 16:28)
I don’t rationalize or spiritualize or allegorize either of them. That’s your job.
(Ezek 40:1-4)
This vision happened on April 28, 573 B.C. before the second Temple was built. Ezekiel was told to tell “his” generation about the second Temple. Unless of course, Ezekiel’s generation was really a generation of Israel 2,500+ years in the future (instead of the people who were in exile at the time).
It matters not when the vision was given but when it’s fulfillment is. Herod’s Temple can hardly fulfill what’s described of that Temple in Eze. 40-44. Reality check: Go back and read it again.
 
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SHW:
Some of them believe that God is still keeping the Old Covenant with the Jews even though Scripture states otherwise.
Can you provide me with a list of those “fundamentalists” who believe this?
What M.D. does not understand is that Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and it is now obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). God will not be returning to it.
You’re so busy cutting and pasting, SHW, I don’t think you’ve read any of my posts. Can you show me in my posts where I stated that the O.C. is still binding? Actually, it’s you who’s been arguing in favor of that point. No me. :whistle:
 
I quoted you saying:
"moondweller:
A true “bac” should humbly accept what God has revealed to us through His holy prophets via the Scriptures. A true “bac” shouldn’t rationalize or spiritualize or allegorize away what God has literally said concerning the church and Israel.
Then I said:
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AmbroseSJ:
How do you know that you fit that description?
Then you reply:
Which description?

Please clarify: When you quote in your signature, “Catholicism does not oppress us with an irrational bigotry," are you saying it oppresses you instead with a rational one?
Is it really that difficult for you to understand such a simple question after I quoted what you said. (a description of a “true bac”) Yet you would have us believe that you can grasp the Scriptures??

As for my signature, again, you seem to be wanting in reading comprehension. It says:
John Henry Newman:
Catholicism does not oppress us with an irrational bigotry, prescribing to us the very minutest details of thought, so that a man can never have an opinion of his own.
That means that Catholicism does not oppress us with an irrational bigotry (now comes the comma, and the modifier), prescribing to us the very minutest details of thought, so that a man can never have an opinion of his own. (that is the understanding of irrational bigotry.) So the opposite of oppression with an irrational bigotry, would be freedom of rational thought and opinion. :rolleyes:

Protestants, and bac’s especially are oppressed with irrational bigotry.

Remember when I questioned you about whether you learned your doctrine from men? You staunchly denied it, even though you most certainly did, as none of what you say is explicitly in the Scriptures. Nor is there any injuction in the Scripture to prevent readers from spiritualizing, allegorizing or rationalizing the Scriptures. This is a man-made doctrine which you believe more than Scripture itself. That is the sort of irrational bigotry that Catholicism is free from. 😉

On the whole, Catholicism is the most satisfying rationally, to a person of education, depth and holiness. That is why the Church Fathers, Doctors and teachers like St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Cyril of Jerusalem (and Alexandria), St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, Pope Leo, The two St. Gregories, etc. etc. down to St. Bede, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Boniface, St. Bernard, St. Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Bellarmine, Bossuet, Fenelon, and lately my own favorite, the Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman were all such great teachers, and have stood the test of time.

But you have your internet, and your Moody Bible Institute minister, and of course all of your irrational bigotries. 😉
 
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